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As many of the fittest humans on Earth converge here for the Olympics, scientists are stepping up warnings about gene doping.
Athletes need to be aware of the grave dangers of inserting genes and DNA into their bodies to try to boost strength and endurance, say leading researchers working with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
While there has yet to be a proven case of gene doping, they report Friday in the journal Science that it is "coming temptingly close."
A German coach was caught in 2006 trying to obtain Repoxygen, an experimental virus designed to deliver a gene that could enhance performance. Developed as a treatment for severe anemia, Repoxygen therapy "infects" patients with a virus carrying a gene that prompts cells to produce erythropoietin, or EPO, a protein that boosts red blood cell production and endurance.
And a Chinese genetics laboratory reportedly offered gene-base manipulations before the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
"It is not clear whether these or other similar attempts reached the stage of actual use in human athletes, but there seem to be few technical...